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Stepaside Feature (1974 - 1982?)

Photo Gallery - Band Lineups - Discography - Audio samples - Where Are They Now?

The Story

After leaving the Sands showband in 1972, Bobby Kelly spent some time traveling before returning to the music scene in his native Dublin. He also spent time in and out of many local Dublin groups, which was the norm in the city throughout the beat group era and beyond. In 1974, he hooked up with bass player Bob Bolton and they started rehearsing with different musicians. The original lineup of what would become Stepaside included Shay Murphy (drums), Bob Bolton (bass), Bobby Kelly (guitar) and Brendan (Brenny) Bonass on guitar. Stepaside is area/village located about 14 km (8.5 miles) south of Dublin.

After lots of rehearsing, the band never quite got it together and took a break until June of 1974. When they reformed, they brought in Robbie Brennan on drums and the lineup was set. There were several ideas about what the band should call itself, each member had their own favourite. In fact, they used different names for each gig they played (usually to poor crowds according to Bobby Kelly) until a packed night in which they had used Stepaside and the name stuck.

The four piece band featured guitar oriented country rock covering bands like the Eagles. They played a regular residency in Toner's in Dublin and garnered a lot of attention once they tightened up their sound. Soon they added keyboards in the person of Chris Meehan. Now a five piece, the band continued to grow their reputation and secured a series of major support gigs to major acts like Kevin Johnson and Rory Gallagher.

By 1975 Chris Meehan left left the band to go solo and was replaced by Dave McAnaney on keyboards. Like most Dublin groups of that era, they continued to play weekly residencies across the city. For a short time in 1977, the band increased to a six piece when they added Deke O'Brien on guitar. Shortly after this, Bobby Kelly would leave to rejoin Tony Kenny after a short spell with Dirty     

    

          

More to come.....

Photo Gallery

click on thumbnails for full image

Stepaside - 1974 Stepaside - 1974 Stepaside - 1976 Stepaside - 1976

Stepaside - 1976

Stepaside - 1977

Stepaside - 1979

Stepaside - 1979

Stepaside - 1981 (PH)

Stepaside - 1974

         
Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon
Years Guitar / Vocals Guitar Bass / Vocals Drums Keyboards Guitar
1974 Bobby
Kelly
Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Bob
Bolton
Shay
Murphy
   
Oct
1974
Bobby
Kelly
Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Bob
Bolton
Robbie
Brennan
Chris
Meehan
 
1975 Bobby
Kelly
Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Bob
Bolton
Robbie
Brennan
Dave
McAnaney
 
1977 Bobby
Kelly
Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Paul
Ashford
Robbie
Brennan
Dave
McAnaney
Deke
O'Brien
1977 Deke
O'Brien
Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Paul
Ashford
Robbie
Brennan
Dave
McAnaney
 
1979   Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Paul
Ashford
Robbie
Brennan
Dave
McAnaney
 
1980 Mark
Costigan
Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Paul
Ashford
Robbie
Brennan
Dave
McAnaney
 
1981   Brendan "Brenny"
Bonass
Mick
O'Hagan
Niall
Power
Dennis
Woods
 

Discography

Singles:

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl / Deep Feeling
Mulligan Records - LUNS 007 - 1977
We've Got You Surrounded / Too Long On The Road
World Records - STEP 1 - 1979
Sit Down and Relapse / Mail Order Love
Sidestep Records - SID 001 - 1980
The Last Resort / Yellow Chair
Sidestep Records - SID 002 - 1980
Yellow Chair / Play The Game
Spider Records - WEB 044 - 1981

Albums:

Sit Down and Relapse
Sidestep Records - STEP 1 - September, 1980 

Audio Clips

 

 

 

 
The Last Resort        

Coming Soon

Where Are They Now?  

Bobby Kelly - RIP: After leaving Stepaside, Bobby played a 15 week stint with the Freshmen before joining the Tony Kenny Band in the late 70's. He eventually went on to join Chris Meehan's Redneck Friends with whom he still plays from time to time. Bobby relocated to Strandhill, Co. Sligo in the mid-90's and played with a variety of bands. His last band was the Rock n' Roll Circus which featured Francie Lenehan (ex Cotton Mill Boys/Ranchers), Liam Gilmartin (ex Hennigan's Blooze Band/Ray Lynam Band) and Tom Jameson (ex Auto de Fay). The band broke up at Christmas, 2006. Bobby continued to play with Chris until 2018 when he retired from performing. He sadly passed away on September 5th, 2019.  
  Bob Bolton:
  Brenny Bonass:
  Shay Murphy:
  Robbie Brennan:
Paul Ashford - RIP: After leaving the Stepaside he played with the likes of The Furey Brothers and Dave Arthur, Mike Hanrahan from Stockton's Wing, Ronnie Drew and spent two years touring with Jerry Lee Lewis. Paul had numerous song writing credits along with his own records (One In Every Town, Jenny, etc.). He played bass with Paul Brady, Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, Joe Elliot of Def Leppard, Dolores Keane and Barbara Dickson, as well as numerous sessions. In the recent past he had his own Paul Ashford Band which was one of the country's top wedding and corporate function bands. Sadly Paul passed away on January 10, 2011.
  Deke O'Brien:
  Dave McAnaney:
  Mark Costigan:
  Mick O'Hagan:
  Niall Power:
  Denis Woods:

 


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In Loving Memory of Grant Gallagher: Sept. 21, 1990 - Nov. 18, 2006